Thankfully, Johnny had passed the test of being able to clean up with the help of Dixie and was able to transfer himself fairly well from the wheelchair to the toilet. With a long list of instructions, a bagful of medications and a schedule of appointments for therapy and check-ups, Johnny was pronounced healthy enough to start recovering at the DeSoto's. Although normally he could have been sent home that morning, after having to be checked over by Doctor Early, Doctor Druthers and both therapists, Roy and Joanne agreed to wait until after lunch so Johnny could take a nap. It also gave Mike Stoker time to recover a bit from his shift so he could come and help with the trip home.
When they were finally on the way out of the hospital, Johnny was amazed when they exited the hospital.
"Huge!"
"What's huge?" Mike asked from behind the wheelchair as he and Joanne waited for Roy to bring the car around.
"Whole place bigger than my town."
Thinking a moment, Joanne nodded, "I imagen so. Los Angeles, which is the city we are in, is a big city."
"We'll make sure not to lose you," Mike assured Johnny, squeezing his shoulder gently. "I know this is a big change, but there are lots of people who want to help. Not just your aunt and uncle here or me. There are also a few other people you'll meet later on."
"I think Uncle Roy and Uncle Mike's boss, Captain Stanley, will be at our home," Jo warned Johnny.
"Why?" panic crept into his voice.
"We want someone to make sure everything was all set up for you and to be there with Jenny," Roy said, getting out of the car. "His wife will be by to drop off Chris soon after and to pick him up."
"It'll be fine. He's like a dad to everyone who works for him," Joanne reassured John. "Now, how about we get you in the car?"
Nodding, Johnny allowed Mike and Roy to help him stand up before walking a couple of feet to the car. Turning slightly, Roy and Mike gently set him down and watched as Johnny slowly moved his feet behind the driver's car. Closing the door behind their friend, Mike went around the other side while Roy went to help Joanne get the wheelchair, walker and suitcases into the truck of their car.
"Johnny?" Mike cautiously asked, seeing his eyes were closing.
"Hmmm?"
"You need to buckle up yet before we can get going."
"Huh?" Johnny was confused.
What does he mean by that? I have pajama pants on…no buckle on.
Seeing the confused look, Mike slowly reached over and took the seat belt and explained what he was doing. As he was finishing, Roy and Jo slipped into the car, asking if everyone was all set. Assuring them that he and John were, Mike kept an eye on Johnny as they made their way to the DeSoto's home. Although Mike would have bet Johnny would have fallen asleep, the sights kept him wide awake.
"Whoa," John breathed out as the passed high rises and buildings he had never before seen. "Huge!"
Turning into the residential area they lived in, Roy heard Johnny suck in his breath. When they finally arrived at the house, John spoke up.
"Who live here beside you?" he asked softly.
Peering up at ranch style house, Roy became confused, "Just Aunt Jo, myself as well as Chris and Jenny. Why?"
"But, it huge! You must be rich!" Slapping his hand over his mouth in horror, Johnny quickly apologized, "Sorry, sorry, sorry."
"It's okay sweetie," Joanne comforted him, a bit surprised.
I never thought of ourselves as well off. I mean, yes, this is a decent neighborhood, but with the paint peeling and so many things needing fixing, I always wished for something better.
"Why don't we go inside and I'll show you around?" Roy offered, opening his door while Mike retrieved the wheelchair.
Watching from the window, Hank waited with patience as Johnny was helped into the chair and rolled up the makeshift ramp the Station 51 A shift crew had made. As they reached the door, he pulled it open and smiled down at his youngest charge.
"Hi, John," Hank said.
Starring up at the very tall man, Johnny's eyes grew wide and his breathing increased. Sensing that his presence wasn't helping, Hank backed away and went to get the bags left in the car.
"Hey, it's okay Johnny," Joanne gently gave John a hug. "I know he looks scary, but trust me, he has been worried about you."
Seeing Jenny peaking around the corner, Jo waved her over.
"Hey," she said softly, giving him a gently hug. "Welcome home."
"Thank you," he said, glancing everywhere but her eyes as his were filling with tears. It had been so long since he had felt welcomed.
Jumping slightly when the screen door shut, John let out a hiss of pain and squeezed his eyes shut.
"Man, I'm sorry John," Hank hurried over to him after placing the suitcases down. Kneeling down, he asked, "I'm also sorry I scared you before. I forgot I tend to be so tall! Even my wife and kids let me know that if I want to talk, I have to sit, so you do the same okay?"
Nodding, Johnny continued glancing around, his face showing his puzzlement by some things.
"What you looking at?" Jenny ventured, since all of the adults were either talking about something she couldn't hear or coming back from taking things into John's room.
Waving to bring Jenny closer, feeling very dumb, Johnny whispered to her, "What's that?"
"That?" she confirmed he was pointing to the TV. "That is a television or TV for short. Ever seen one?"
"Heard about it I think," John said, not very confidently. "What's it do?"
"You turn it on and then you can see shows about different things. I like the one called the Flintstones. It is a cartoon," seeing the look of confusion, Jenny explained it in further details.
"Wow," Johnny was in awe. "Think I'll get to see it ever?"
Looking up towards her parents, Jenny saw they had been listening to the two of them talk. Shrugging, she simply said, "Why not ask?"
Startled, Johnny shrank back a bit in the chair. It was much easier talking to Jenny, even though she was a bit older than he was. The idea of talking to her parents or the two other adults was still scary.
Seeing how he had reacted, Jo told him, "I think we'll be able to let you watch some TV. We don't allow much TV and we do want our kids to do things before we let them watch. Since we consider you family, the same rules apply. Right now, your main job is to rest and work on getting better. When you have a break, if there is a show both Uncle Roy and I think is fine for you to watch, we'll let you watch it. How does that sound?"
Nodding, Johnny began yawning.
"Speaking of resting, I think we should show you your room," Roy announced. "Then, I think you should try and rest, alright?"
"Okay, Uncle Roy," sighed Johnny, knowing it was pointless to argue.
Pushing him into the guest room that had been transformed into a place that could be semi-permanent or permanent if need be, Roy waited as Johnny's eyes traveled over everything. Although the walls were still painted a cream color, a bunch of furniture geared towards a young child had been donated. There were a couple of bookcases painted in blue, one filled with various books, the other partially filled with games and puzzles. The closet held clothes that were once from Johnny's apartment and his dresser had the knobs replaced. Instead of the standard brass circles, baseballs and basketballs knobs were now on the dresser to give it a more fun-feeling. The few pictures of Johnny's family that the Station 51 A-shift crew could find were placed on top of the bookcases and dresser. The bed was made up with blue sheets and covered with the Native American blanket he had inherited after his parents had passed.
Seeing all that had been done to make him feel welcome, Johnny began to cry, "Wh…Why?"
"Why did we do all this?" Jo asked softly, sitting on the edge of the bed across from him.
Nodding, Johnny tried holding back his tears and sniffled, but to no avail. Smiling slightly when Jenny handed him a box of tissues, he blew his nose.
"This too much…" he said in awe.
"No," Roy told him. "We really do consider you a part of our family. To us, well, it is something we enjoy doing. We let Jenny and Chris choose some of the things in their rooms, so it seemed only right to get you started. If there is something you don't like or miss, just tell us and we will do our best to get it."
"We want you to know this is your home, just as much as it Jenny's or Chris', mine or Uncle Roy's," Joanne softly lectured. "Now, how about we get you into bed?"
Sighing, Johnny admitted, "Am sleepy."
Standing up, Jo pulled back the sheets, while Roy set up the walker next to the bed and helped Johnny transfer.
"Now, this bell is really loud. If you need anything at all, just shake it. We don't care what time it is, okay?" Joanne told him. "We'll check in with you, but don't get up without help."
"Promise," John said sleepily. "Like the horsey lamp."
Smiling, Roy brushed away the invisible hair on his forehead, "Alright, get some sleep, Junior. We'll wake you for supper unless you need us sooner."
As his eyes grew heavier and heavier, Johnny barely heard Joanne wish him a good rest and sweet dreams. With a smile on his face, he fell into a comfortable sleep, feeling safe and loved for the first time in what seemed like forever.